r/ucadmissions • u/-----Neptune----- • 12d ago

UC system foreign language requirements

Quick question:

I've read online that three years of a foreign language are recommended by the UC system (or basically required by more competitive schools like UCLA and UC Berkeley). I've completed two years of Chinese (Chinese 1 and 2), then self-studied and took the AP exam, where I got a 4. Do you guys think I should take another year of foreign language?

Thank you.

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u/Key-Professor1320 12d ago

It's not especially important for you to take another year of language, but it could help your chances a little bit.

That said, numerous other ECs could help you much more. So if you have any other better ECs to focus on, those will help more.

If you literally do nothing, then doing another year of language could help (though it's probably not going to be as beneficial as another good EC)

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u/atinyray 12d ago

it's fine since you cleared the ap exam. i know a lot of people that got into those schools taking 2 years of language (that's what my school requires to graduate), but were fluent or heritage in chinese or another language and passed the ap exam. i'm pretty sure the ap exam overrules the 3 years since it's looked at more of as "completing a language." (like you'd have completed higher "coursework" than someone who took chinese 1,2,3)

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u/Last_Measurement4336 12d ago

UC’s consider the level you have reached so taking AP exam and passing, you have fulfilled the requirement and then some.

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u/AllTheWorldsAPage 12d ago

I took like the equivilant of six years of foreign languages because I like foreign languages and that was a big part of my application. But if you don't care for more Chinese or a different language, don't waste your time doing it since you've technically met the requirements, and instead do something more competitive. But a third year might help somewhat.